Communication in Healthcare

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Learning Outcome 3
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Lecturer: Vivienne Josephs Semester 2. uc

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 Learning Outcomes
• Define communication
• Describe the levels of communication
• Discuss the forms of communication
• Discuss the purpose of communication
• Describe the key aspects of communication
• Define therapeutic communication
• Understand the importance of communication
in nursing practice
 What is communication?

‘the process where messages are conveyed

from person to person’
(Hally, 2009)
 What is the Purpose of
Communication?

• To establish positive nurse-patient relationships

• To be effective in expressing interest/concern for
patient/family
• To provide health care information
• To communicate with colleagues

Goal: Shared Meaning

 Levels of Communication

1.Social: safe
2.Structured: e.g. assessing patients,
interviewing etc
3.Therapeutic: patient focused, purposeful, time
limited
What is Therapeutic Communication?

‘a specialised form of communication used in

health settings to support, educate and
empower people’

(Arnold, 2007 cited in Halley, 2009

A guide for International Nursing Students
in Australia and New Zealand)
 Forms of Communication

• Verbal

• Non verbal
 Verbal Communication

• Vocabulary
• Shared meanings
• Culturally sensitive
• Pace
• Tone
• Clarity
• Timing
• relevance
 Non Verbal Communication
Body Language
• Personal appearance
• Posture and gait
• Facial expression
• Gestures
• Eye contact
• Sounds
• Personal space and touch
 Key Aspects of Communication
• Active Listening – most important
• Empathy
• Respect
• Genuineness
• Using touch
• Using silence
• Paraphrasing and clarifying
• Culturally sensitive
 Good Communication Skills
• Courtesy
• Respect
• Active Listening
• Culturally sensitive
• Expressing empathy
• Using touch
• Using silence
• Being genuine
 Importance to Nursing Practice

• To be a safe and competent nursing student,

you must be able to demonstrate excellent
communication skills
• Communication is an essential skill in nursing
• Poor communication can have serious
consequences
 How well do you communicate?

• Most people percieve that they communicate

really well

• Quiz pg 154 Donnatelle

 References
Donatelle.R (2011). Health: The Basics. Pearson Education.
Oregon State University

Crisp J., & Taylor, C.(Eds). (2009). Potter and Perry’s

Fundamentals of Nursing (3rd ed.) Chatswood: Elsevier

Hally, M.B (2009). A guide for international nursing students in

Australia and New Zealand. Elsevier. Australia